A Mighty Fortress

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Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Every year we make journals. Last year we had log books to record our journey through our Exploration year. This year I have not totally decided what to call these journals, but they are probably going to be colonial journals.

First I used this 9 X 12 art pad.

We picked out several different faux leather fabrics from Hobby Lobby, along with leather cord.

Then I employed the crafty teen to cut and hot glue the fabric to the covers.

We left extra fabric to overlap the front cover, which I cut into an unnatural diagonal. We cut a hole into the flap and threaded the cord, wrapped it around a few times, and then tied it closed.

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Another awesome hike [Sturtevant Falls Trail] with our hiking partners (who actually lead this whole hiking project; if it wasn't for them, we probably wouldn't be hiking). This was not a long hike, but the last quarter mile back is uphill, and it took much mental encouragement. The trail follows a little stream and leads to a waterfall. There was enough water for the kids to submerge themselves and get drenched, though it was hot enough for them to be dry before we got to the car. This was a good hike, and we plan to revisit it in the spring when there should be more water. Awesome!

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Finally, we were able to visit the Descanso Gardens, which I had been planning to do for the last six months. My final opinion is that it is not comparable to the amazing Huntington Library or even Los Angeles Arboretum, but my kids said they enjoyed it and were grateful we went.

It has paths and streams, lakes and trees, and plenty of places to sit and read a book; but being that it is the middle of the horrid southern California summer, there were few flowers, and everything was brown or dying, which reminded me too much of my own backyard in the desert. Why drive 1 1/2 hours when I can step outside my backdoor for a few minutes. Then again, I do not have streams with cute turtles, and even trees that give off shade.

And did I say, it was so awfully hot that I was sweating just standing in the shade of a tree? But I digress.

The best part - the very best part of all - was running into some friends that moved away a few years ago. It was a total unexpected surprise, and it made the trip well worth it. So it was a very good trip, indeed.

Monday, June 12, 2017

I love this place, too. This is the Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California. We only spent six hours going through the gardens, and skipped the library and art collections (which we've visited in previous times). For now it was just flowers and trees and ponds and streams. And my kids spent at least an hour in the children's garden while I read a book. Did I say, I love this place?

About This Blog:

God has provided an opportunity for me to homeschool my five children, and this blog is a journal of what we do. By sharing our adventures, I hope to encourage other parents to homeschool their children, too.